Wilmington, NC News

Archive for December, 2011

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The North Carolina State Board of Elections has unanimously dismissed a complaint against the 2008 gubernatorial campaign of Republican Pat McCrory.

The board Thursday found no evidence of improper coordination between the former Charlotte mayor and an outside GOP group.

The board launched the investigation in October in response to a 2010 complaint by the North Carolina Democratic Party. The complaint alleged McCrory’s campaign coordinated fundraising and spending efforts with the Republican Governors Association, which would be a breach of state and federal campaign-finance laws.

A copy of the state report obtained by The Associated Press showed that investigators found no evidence that the allegation was true.

FAYETTEVILLE, NC (AP) — An annual Christmas tradition in Fayetteville has police concerned because of the number of people expected to show up.

The Fayetteville Observer reports that Moses Mathis, known locally as the Bicycle Man, will be giving away bicycles from his warehouse Thursday morning.

Mathis has been holding the event since 1991. He gave away 1,100 bikes last Christmas and police said 2,000 people may attend this year’s event. Officials are concerned because there’s not sufficient space around the warehouse for parking, so police are asking drivers to plan ahead.

Police say those attending might consider having a driver drop them off to get a bicycle and pick them up later.

CONNELLY SPRINGS, NC (AP) — An 85-year-old North Carolina woman has been charged with killing her husband a day after complaining to authorities the man was abusing her emotionally.

Janey Stilwell Brittain of Connelly Springs was charged with murder hours after reporting Tuesday that she shot her husband.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office says deputies arriving at the couple’s home found Robert Brittain dead. His wife was jailed without bond. It wasn’t clear if she has a lawyer.

Sheriff Steve Whisenant says Janey Brittain told deputies Monday she was a victim of emotional abuse, but authorities found no signs of physical harm. The sheriff said after learning she could not file charges against her husband, deputies took her to a battered women’s shelter.